Description:
What being an online learner has taught me about teaching
Impact : Since the beginning of the summer I have changed my views of online learning not only for myself but online learning for anyone. I used to think that unless someone was standing in front of me or sitting next to me it would be impossible for me to learn anything- someone had to guide me through my learning. Now my perspective of myself has changed. I feel so much more confident about learning things on my own while still having some guidance. I feel that I have the determination and self-control to complete activities, tasks, and write papers without someone constantly reminding me. In addition I feel that online learning has made me a better educator- the strategies that I have learned since becoming an online learner makes me what to instill some of those same strategies into my classroom and students this coming fall.
Intent: I have heard a lot throughout my life that we can no longer “spoon feed” our students. I used to think that I had a good understanding of that statement and was not that type of teacher to fall into that trap. I have learned that I am too much of a control freak in my classroom. This summer has taught me that in order to prepare my students to be 21st century learners I must step back. I have to be a facilitator in my classroom and allow my students to take the lead. When students have the ability to determine what they need to know in order to complete a problem or project they take more responsibility of their learning and education. I have also come to realize that learning to balance the right amount of guidance, encouragement and help is not an easy task. Each student is different and may require different amounts of support. Learning how to support my students comes through my relationships with them and learning what works best for each student.
I have realized that since this summer I have taken much more interest in what I am learning because I can really only rely on myself, with support of others but it is my decision how much I want to get out of my classes.
What being an online learner has taught me about teaching
Impact : Since the beginning of the summer I have changed my views of online learning not only for myself but online learning for anyone. I used to think that unless someone was standing in front of me or sitting next to me it would be impossible for me to learn anything- someone had to guide me through my learning. Now my perspective of myself has changed. I feel so much more confident about learning things on my own while still having some guidance. I feel that I have the determination and self-control to complete activities, tasks, and write papers without someone constantly reminding me. In addition I feel that online learning has made me a better educator- the strategies that I have learned since becoming an online learner makes me what to instill some of those same strategies into my classroom and students this coming fall.
Intent: I have heard a lot throughout my life that we can no longer “spoon feed” our students. I used to think that I had a good understanding of that statement and was not that type of teacher to fall into that trap. I have learned that I am too much of a control freak in my classroom. This summer has taught me that in order to prepare my students to be 21st century learners I must step back. I have to be a facilitator in my classroom and allow my students to take the lead. When students have the ability to determine what they need to know in order to complete a problem or project they take more responsibility of their learning and education. I have also come to realize that learning to balance the right amount of guidance, encouragement and help is not an easy task. Each student is different and may require different amounts of support. Learning how to support my students comes through my relationships with them and learning what works best for each student.
I have realized that since this summer I have taken much more interest in what I am learning because I can really only rely on myself, with support of others but it is my decision how much I want to get out of my classes.